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Electric stove burners heat up quickly and provide a consistent heat level for cooking. When they work inconsistently, provide fluctuating heat, or don't work at all, it may be that the burner control switch is at fault. Testing the switch is easy, and is within the capabilities of most homeowners, but you need a multimeter to do the job. Before beginning any work on the stove, make certain that it is unplugged from the outlet.

Burner Controls

The burner on a stove is a radiant coil. The electricity passes through the metal coil and is converted to heat. The amount of heat is determined by the amount of electricity available, and the floe of electricity is controlled by the burner control switch. The switches are located in various places around the stove, depending upon the model. There is normally a panel held on by several screws that you need to remove to access the switches.

Control Wiring

Examine the burner control switch leading to the problem burner carefully. Look for signs of corrosion or broken wires around the switch. If everything looks normal, then begin to test the control unit with the multimeter. Replace the smooth probes on the multimeter with alligator clip probes and identify the various wires going to and from the switch. You should see a P, H1, H2, L1 (or N1) and L2 (or N2).

Multimeter Testing

Set the multimeter to the low position for ohms of resistance, which is normally "1." Turn the problem burner switch to the high temperature setting and clip one probe to the L1 wire and the other to the H1 wire. Repeat the process with the L2 and H2 wires.The ohms reading for both should be between zero and 20. If the reading on either test is on the high end of the ohms reading, the switch is defective.

Other Tests

If the ohms reading is correct when the switch is on high heat, repeat the process with the switch on medium heat. The results should be the same for both high and medium heat. If you receive a high reading, the switch must be replaced. Turn the burner control off and repeat the test with both sets of wires. If it is working properly, the multimeter will read zero or infinite. If not, the control should be replaced.

Burner Test

If all the wires in the control unit appear to be working, then the burner element itself may be at fault. Remove it from the stove top and examine it carefully for blisters or breaks, which indicate a problem. Place a multimeter probe on each of the burner probes and check the meter for a reading between zero and 50. This indicates that the burner is working properly. If the meter does not move, then the burner should be replaced.

About the Author

Jack Burton started writing professionally in 1980 with articles in "Word from Jerusalem," "ICEJ Daily News" and Tagalong Garden News. He has managed radio stations, TV studios and newspapers, and was the chief fundraiser for Taltree Arboretum. Burton holds a B.S. in broadcasting from John Brown University. He is a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Navy/Navy Reserves and the Navy Seabees.